TSLL has been in print for 25 years. This issue we celebrate its inspiring and now longstanding contributions to our profession. Where would we be without it? Our thanks and admiration go to all editors and contributors past and present.

The Early Years
Phyllis Marion
pmarion@cwsl.edu

I was the first editor of the Law Cataloger, which began publication in Sept. 1975 and continued in that capacity until sometime in 1977. If my memory serves me, the real impetus for starting the newsletter was the AALL Cataloging and Classification Committee’s growing involvement in the cataloging code revision work of the early 1970’s which resulted in AACR2. For the first time, the American Library Association was actively seeking AALL’s opinions about proposed changes in the cataloging rules for legal materials. While discussions at the annual meeting about these issues were fruitful and engaging, it was clear we would not be able to act in a timely manner if we did not have some vehicle to disseminate information throughout the year. The Committee also had very active subcommittees on subject analysis and on Class K (still new to many catalogers) which needed to be able to communicate with law catalogers. And so, we started the Law Cataloger in 1975. It was very unsophisticated, just a few typewritten pages a couple times of year, but it was well-received and provided a foundation for what I believe is AALL’s finest special interest section newsletter, TSLL.

Maybe it’s like my dad’s memory of walking five miles to school through ten-feet snow drifts, but I remember the period around the startup of the Law Cataloger as a an exciting time to be a law cataloger. Change was in the air; ALA and LC were asking for our opinions; important issues were being discussed. Lasting friendships were forged. Is it different today? I don’t think so. Although I’m no longer very involved in cataloging issues, I know there are very important issues being addressed and that change is still (and always) in air. I’ve read there is discussion of a change to a more a general cataloging code, which would leave “rules” for special materials, such as legal materials, to those organizations which have a particular interest in the materials. If this takes place, what a great opportunity and challenge for law catalogers!